Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

Chapter 112 ‘Die!’ Ah, not again.Skinny fingers wrapped around my neck. Nails that were sharp like an awl dug into my delicate skin.An unknown woman strangled me and shouted. ‘Why you and not me, why, why! If it wasn’t for you…!’ I knew it was a dream, but I couldn’t move a single fingertip. I struggled to get out, but in vain.Yes, do whatever you want.Thinking that the pain wouldn’t last long because it was a dream anyway, I gave up resistance and released the strength from my body, and the hand that was holding my breath loosened.It’s over.I gently lifted my eyelids, releasing my stifled breath. ‘Yeah, I’d rather *******, wouldn’t you?A sharp dagger pierced my back.“……!” I woke up with a silent scream. My whole body was drenched with sweat.As I looked out the window at dawn, I calmed my breath.The afterimage of the woman who was running at me like a demon flickered before my eyes.I hadn’t had a dream like this for a while after hearing about it from Sirius.Shaking off the unpleasant memories, I closed and opened my eyes tightly, and as I turned to my side, a vivid pain incomparable to the pain in my dreams hit my whole body.“Ugh…”It’s even weirder that I’m okay, considering I’ve been in pain all night.I glanced over at Helios, who was sleeping soundly.The bed shook quite a bit as I tried to correct my posture, but he showed no sign of waking up.‘He looked very tired.’Of course, he has been busy since morning, and then he came back and spent all that time with me…… so he deserves to be tired.I stared at him in his sleep.I felt it from the first time I saw him, but he has a very straight and handsome face.A neat forehead, moderately sharp eyes, a slick nose, thick lips, and a manly angular jawline.That’s why Charlet Melks couldn’t give up on this guy and cling to him.Although the method may have been wrong, the feelings seemed to be known to some extent.I gently caressed his nostrils. The bridge of his nose frowned slightly at the tickle, but he didn’t wake up.A little more boldly, I moved my hand to his neckline. I couldn’t remember what we had done last night, but there was clear blood in the middle of Helios’ neck.As I moved my gaze along the red marks, I saw large and small scars carved on the beautiful body.There were a few wounds I knew, but most of them were very old scars.‘I can’t get rid of these scars…’Scars from monsters were removed with magic stones, but at the moment I was fiddling with the scars, wondering if there is any medicine to remove the sword.“… Stop touching it. I can’t stand it.”Helios coughed and pulled the hem of the blanket over his lower abdomen.“How long have you been awake?”“Since you touched my face.”“Then why are you pretending to sleep?”“To see how long you’d keep touching me.”He was so mean.Helios smirked and pulled me into his arms.“Did you sleep well?”“I didn’t sleep well. Because you tormented me.”“I thought you’d sleep better because you’ve been through so much, but I’ve been bothering you less.”“What are you talking about, you naughty man?”As I murmured in protest, Helios muttered, curling the corners of his eyes.“You’re in trouble.”“What else?”“I like you so much.”“As soon as you wake up, you’re joking again—”“I’m not kidding. I’m serious.”There was no smile in his eyes as beautiful as obsidian.Helios continued to speak as he lowered his gaze slightly, embarrassed by the reflection of me in those eyes.“All I have is Lenia Evelyn.”“…….”“It means nothing if it’s not you.”“…….”I wonder why he’s suddenly saying this.Every time I received confirmation of love like this, my mouth was dry.“How about you?”“Do I have to put it into words for you to know?”“If you don’t tell me, I don’t know. So tell me.”It was a hasty urge. I licked my lips and spoke with difficulty.“Me too, it’s only you. Helios.”A smile as bright as the autumn sunlight finally finds its place. He locked me in his strong arms and stole my lips deeply and tenderly.No matter how many times I touched it, it was bitterly sweet.   ***** That afternoon, a merchant called by Mrs. Rotney came to the castle.The man who introduced himself as Kyle Thompson was so talkative that I was blown away.“I am honored to be called, madam. I am a regular and one of the regulars who’s been doing business with the Duchy since the days of the last Duchess….”“Nice to meet you. Follow me.”I took a guy named Kyle Thompson to the second floor. The man looked around the inside of the castle and clicked his tongue.“Oh my God, What an interior for this wonderful castle! Aren’t the curtains, carpets and wallpaper completely outdated! How could Duke Anthemion live in a place like this…”“That’s why I called Mr. Thompson.”“It was a great choice. Don’t worry, leave it to me. I will decorate this castle better than the Imperial Palace!”Has this person ever been to the Imperial Palace?I shrugged and walked around the castle with him.Although overly talkative and fussy, Kyle Thompson, like a veteran interior designer, knew exactly what to do with the castle.“Since this side faces north, it would be better to use a thick velvet cloth and install silk curtains to the south side.”“Let’s do that.”“The carpet on the stairs should be soft, and the hallways should be a little thinner.”“Please take care of it.”“As for the bookcases, since you’re short, I suggest you get some low ones.”“Yes.”All decisions were made quickly, without me having a chance to interfere.The only thing I did was pick out the colors of the curtains and carpet.“Velvet curtains and silk curtains each 80 hep, 1200 carpets, 25 bookshelves, 8 desks, 32 chairs, 20 sofas… Do you need anything more?”“I think that’ll do for now.”I nodded as I watched Kyle Thompson fill out the order.Even if Helios had told me not to think about money and to decorate as I pleased, I couldn’t blow a year’s worth of the castle’s budget.Kyle Thompson’s mouth hung open as he excitedly quoted the price.With the volume of orders, that’s almost half a year’s income, so that’s good enough.Kyle Thompson, who looked around the mansion greedily to see if he wasn’t satisfied with the huge order, said as he looked inside the music room.“That piano doesn’t even sound right, so why don’t you get rid of it and get a new one?”“I think I’ll keep the piano.”“Oh, right. I see.”In response, he backed away without a word.Kyle Thompson, realizing that his job was done, shook his head.“It’ll take about ten days to get the stuff, so I’ll get it ready as soon as I can.”“Okay. I’ll pay you when you’re done.”“That’ll be fine. I’ll see you in ten days then.”I instructed Mary to see him off and headed for the music room.As Kyle Thompson puts it, the piano lying on the other side of the music room was too old to make a sound.I carefully opened the lid of the piano. The white and black keys were slickly worn with stains from hands.I wiped the dust off the keyboard with a handkerchief and gently pressed the white keys.“……♩”I’ve never played the piano in my life, so I don’t know the name of the keys, but it sounded brilliant.I pressed the next key, and the next, and the next, and the next.I remembered the beautiful sound of Princess Adela’s piano, but mine felt dull.Still, it was strange to hear the sound as I pressed it, so I pressed the piano keys one after another and quietly opened my mouth.“Stop doing that and come in.”“…. How did you know?”Helios, who was leaning on the doorstep, got up. I turned my head and looked at him.“Your face is reflected on the piano.”Helios smiled as if he had been caught and approached me slowly.His eyes looking at the piano were exceptionally dark and deep. I watched him closely and said,“I want you to play the piano.”“I haven’t played it for a long time.”“But I want to hear it.”After hesitating between the requests, Helios sat down on the piano stool.He took off his training gloves, put them in his pockets, and put his hands on the keys.“I would have forgotten everything.”Helios, who muttered a little, pressed the keys with a hand covered in calluses.After pressing the unconnected notes, he took a moment to catch his breath and started playing in earnest.“…… ♩♫♫”A faint melody filled the music room. Only the sound of the piano was playing in the quiet room where even the air had stopped.He said he had forgotten everything, but to my ears, it was an excellent performance.Helios, having played the last note, released his hand from the keyboard.“… What song is it?”“The song my mother used to play instead of lullabies.”“…….”“She was very weak and mostly bedridden, but when she was feeling well, she sometimes played the piano.”“…….”“Why do you look like that? Were you disappointed that I didn’t play too well?”“No. It was a perfect performance.”I rewarded the performance by hugging him as hard as I could.